Trainfanning NS in Milwaukee

 I live about three blocks from the Chicago and Milwaukee Subdivision, C&M Sub, tracks that are owned by Canadian Pacific (CP or now CPKC). I remember watching Amtraks and Soo Line trains on these lines when I was 12 years old.  I also live over 100 miles from any Norfolk Southern owned tracks. It is, however, possible to see Norfolk Southern trains and locomotives here in Milwaukee, on both the C&M Sub and the Union Pacific's Milwaukee Subdivision.  If you take a look at the "Growth" video from Norfolk Southern, at :43, you'll see the C&M Sub in Southeast Wisconsin.

The picture to the right is a screenshot from NS' video that shows the "western partners' network." NS trains have been reported by NS railfans who live out in Washington State. What a thrill it is for them too! To note that on the C&M Sub, there is a variety of locomotives from all American Class I railroads: CSX, BNSF, Union Pacific, and, of course, Canadian Pacific its newly acquired Kansas City Southern. 

I love those horse heads! So, when can I see a Norfolk Southern train in Milwaukee?!  The answer: At anytime, on Waterford Avenue (crossing 387-975K) Up until lately, I have seen them at night, while coming home from work, at after 10 pm. An NS train is usually coming around the corner slowly, crossing over the Howard Avenue trestle. NS trains can be quite noisy and downright spooky cutting through the dark with black locomotives. They then emerge out of the dark and into the street lights with their white graphics. It's quite breathtaking!

Another time for NS trains in Milwaukee, Waterford Ave., is at about midday starting at about 10 am anytime during the week.  Anytime during the weekend, but especially afternoons, is also a time for NS trains.  The best way I know they're out there is with my scanner, and they usually have a track warrant, call out the train number starting with "NS" (ex. NS 102), are called "Norfolk" by the dispatcher. If you just want to see an NS locomotive, there could be conversation with a train crew where the call out the numbers! Listen for NS and a number, like "NS 1092."

Our First Amendment rights as railfans and train photographers!

A huge topic: Our First Amendment rights as railfans and train photographers! The topic will be discussed here on NSRailfan.com is the First Amendment right to photograph trains and railroad activity. YES...you have First Amendment rights to photograph trains!  This right may also extend to just standing on a public sidewalk and watching a train cross a road. You might be made to feel like a criminal and a terrorist, but you are not a criminal or terrorist!

My personal experience in the recent weeks has been a tough one.  When I go to my favorite railfan place, I'm watched and followed, and not by police, but by people who live in my neighborhood. The other night, I confronted a lady who lives in a subdivision and frequently watches me from her white pick up truck. She has also followed me. When I told her that stalking is a crime is Wisconsin, she looked at me as if "how dare you accuse me of that." She was hysterical about me, and I could not reason with her when I told her about my train watching.  This woman needs to seek the help of a mental health professional.  That's all I can say...

The chief cause of this Nazi-like watching and reporting other Americans engaged in First Amendment protected activities is the Department of Homeland Security and its state level fusion centers. They're try to snoop and criminalize daily activities, like railfanning and train photography, and maintain the fever swamp of watching people interested in trains, even as aviation has been attacked by terrorists far more than railroads.

At the airport here in Milwaukee, there are at least two observation decks where you will find photographers taking pictures of airplanes, and nobody bothers them.

Unlike Railfanning, which is being criminalized and going in the direction to make railfanning difficult to do. Note the reasons for the coming ATCS train tracking system, with the need for computer programs and exclusive website memberships.  Its rational is to thwart "terrorist attacks," but it's other purpose is to make railfanning more difficult. In this day and age of FlightAware, we should have "TrainAware."  We should be pushing for something like FlightAware for railroads (TrainAware).

DO NOT give up your railfanning just because some people, including members of law enforcement, think you're a terrorist!  Railfanning is a great American pastime and we should pass it down to the next generations! Railfanning and train photography should not be subject to the fever swamp of Homeland Security and neighbors who are probably clinically paranoid should be under the care of a psychiatrist.

Tell that neighbor who likes to stalk you when you exercise your First Amendment rights to call their doctor, not the local fusion center!

On TrainsLife.com there will be discussions on railfan and railroad photography rights:

1. Your right to watch and photograph trains and railroad activities while standing on public property (public sidewalk, public park)  where everyone is allowed to be, which is protected by the First Amendment.

2. Why railfanning is being criminalized, not in actual laws (yet), but in the promotion of suspicion and paranoia among police and the general population.

 3. What can be done to educate and inform both law enforcement, the public, and especially elected leaders that railroad hobbies are not terrorist are criminal interests.

4. Define Railfanning as a hobby that is practiced by adults who follow safety rules and laws with respect to private property. As it's seen now, especially by railroad police, Railfanning is a potentially criminal activity of trespassing and doing "crazy shit." Time to end that, railfans!

Useful links to understand your rights as a railroad photographer:

ACLU. "Where's the Suspicion in Government's 'Suspicious Activity'  Reports?" October 30, 2013.

ACLU of Delaware. "Train Photography: A Protected Free Speech Right." April 15, 2013

ACLU of Pennsylvania. "Know your Rights When Taking Photos and When Making Video and Audio Recordings." Date Unknown.

Firillo, Victor. "PATCO: Photographers Are Probably Not Terrorists." Philly Mag. January 12, 2012.

Hemphill, Evie. "Can you take a photo on Metro? 1st Amendment questions are common, and complicated." NPR/St.Louis on the Air.

Download, print out and carry this information sheet on photographers rights from the ACLU.